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By Albert Breer NFL Network
NFL Network Reporter
Published: Jan. 3, 2012 at 06:52 p.m.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d825b106a/article/fisher-has-eyes-for-bears-but-rams-still-most-likely-spot" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... ikely-spot</a>
Jeff Fisher went 147-126 in 16-plus seasons as head coach of the Titans before parting ways in 2010.
Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden were the name coaching candidates fueling the coaching market rumor mill during the fall.
Jeff Fisher is the one holding all the cards when it counts.
The former Titans coach is this year's power broker with Cowher and Gruden watching this one from the sideline. Miami already has interviewed Fisher, who also was spotted at the Buccaneers team hotel over the weekend. Had Bill Polian survived in Indianapolis, and Jim Caldwell had not, it's a near certainty that Fisher would have been near the top of that list. And San Diego had been as likely a landing spot as any until Dean Spanos decided to keep Norv Turner.
But here is what you need to know about Fisher. Atop his list of priorities is the presence of a franchise quarterback. And I'm told, despite the Rams' listless season of 2011, that's just how he sees Sam Bradford, a player Fisher interviewed and liked quite a bit at the 2010 combine.
That's why, connecting the dots, St. Louis is at the top of Fisher's list. That Fisher is represented by Marvin Demoff, who son Kevin is the Rams COO, only makes it more likely that he'll land in Missouri.
There is, though, one other factor at play here, and that's the shakeup in Chicago.
Fisher played safety for the Bears (1981-85), has maintained a relationship with ownership and, as a bonus, happens to like the team's quarterback, Jay Cutler, quite a bit. Cutler and former Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who passed away in September, worked together in Denver in 2006 and '07 and were very close. And the Titans were split over Matt Leinart and Vince Young in 2006, with Bud Adams pulling rank and taking Young, and passed on Cutler, who went to college in the Titans' backyard at Vandervbilt. So Fisher's aware of the player Cutler's become.
The club has said Lovie Smith will remain the coach for 2012, and he deserves a mulligan for 2011, having lost Cutler and Matt Forte for the stretch run. If a younger executive type, such as Eric DeCosta or Les Snead comes in, then the coaching situation likely won't change. But if the Bears swing for the fences with a Bill Polian type, it's hard to rule anything out. And Polian and Fisher are close, having competed in the AFC South for a number of years.
The bottom line: Fisher will keep an eye on Halas Hall. As one source with knowledge of his thinking said, "That's the one he's always wanted."
The more likely result remains Smith staying put, and Fisher landing in St. Louis. But until something happens with Fisher, the coaching carousel is likely to sit at a standstill.
And once he makes his move, pieces elsewhere will start to fall into place.
Follow Albert Breer on Twitter @AlbertBreer
NFL Network Reporter
Published: Jan. 3, 2012 at 06:52 p.m.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d825b106a/article/fisher-has-eyes-for-bears-but-rams-still-most-likely-spot" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... ikely-spot</a>
Jeff Fisher went 147-126 in 16-plus seasons as head coach of the Titans before parting ways in 2010.
Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden were the name coaching candidates fueling the coaching market rumor mill during the fall.
Jeff Fisher is the one holding all the cards when it counts.
The former Titans coach is this year's power broker with Cowher and Gruden watching this one from the sideline. Miami already has interviewed Fisher, who also was spotted at the Buccaneers team hotel over the weekend. Had Bill Polian survived in Indianapolis, and Jim Caldwell had not, it's a near certainty that Fisher would have been near the top of that list. And San Diego had been as likely a landing spot as any until Dean Spanos decided to keep Norv Turner.
But here is what you need to know about Fisher. Atop his list of priorities is the presence of a franchise quarterback. And I'm told, despite the Rams' listless season of 2011, that's just how he sees Sam Bradford, a player Fisher interviewed and liked quite a bit at the 2010 combine.
That's why, connecting the dots, St. Louis is at the top of Fisher's list. That Fisher is represented by Marvin Demoff, who son Kevin is the Rams COO, only makes it more likely that he'll land in Missouri.
There is, though, one other factor at play here, and that's the shakeup in Chicago.
Fisher played safety for the Bears (1981-85), has maintained a relationship with ownership and, as a bonus, happens to like the team's quarterback, Jay Cutler, quite a bit. Cutler and former Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who passed away in September, worked together in Denver in 2006 and '07 and were very close. And the Titans were split over Matt Leinart and Vince Young in 2006, with Bud Adams pulling rank and taking Young, and passed on Cutler, who went to college in the Titans' backyard at Vandervbilt. So Fisher's aware of the player Cutler's become.
The club has said Lovie Smith will remain the coach for 2012, and he deserves a mulligan for 2011, having lost Cutler and Matt Forte for the stretch run. If a younger executive type, such as Eric DeCosta or Les Snead comes in, then the coaching situation likely won't change. But if the Bears swing for the fences with a Bill Polian type, it's hard to rule anything out. And Polian and Fisher are close, having competed in the AFC South for a number of years.
The bottom line: Fisher will keep an eye on Halas Hall. As one source with knowledge of his thinking said, "That's the one he's always wanted."
The more likely result remains Smith staying put, and Fisher landing in St. Louis. But until something happens with Fisher, the coaching carousel is likely to sit at a standstill.
And once he makes his move, pieces elsewhere will start to fall into place.
Follow Albert Breer on Twitter @AlbertBreer